How Are We Saved: Faith + Works?

How is a person justified before God? How are we saved? Is it faith alone in Christ alone? Or are we justified through faith plus our obedience and "good works"?

Pastor Jeff Durbin of Apologia Radio and Apologia TV answered this question during the Q and A session at the 'Is Mormonism Christian' event in Oahu.

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[Bloodhound_Dogg]

Paul is talking about being justified in front of God (no works) James is talking about being justified in front of man (works)

[jimkraft]

Salvation by works never works. Only by grace. How do I know I am going to heaven? All my sin debt past, present, and future sins I have not even thought of doing are all paid. Since I have no sins to pay for, I can not go to hell to pay for them. Jesus already paid for them all. Salvation is done, not do. It is free, and I have nothing to boast in. Jesus paid it all and I paid 0.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved, through FAITH, and that not of yourselves, (we did nothing for it) it is the GIFT of God, NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.

Do you believe that all your sins are paid for? If you do not, then you are not saved. I deserve to go to hell. But Jesus paid my way to heaven. And I did nothing for it but believe on His name.

First John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. John 1:12 and Romans 1:16.

[EricSmythChrist]

Took me 2 1/2 hours to explain this to my Mom. LOL. Could have just watched this video with her.

[julie]

We are saved by GRACE, not faith. We are saved THROUGH faith BY grace (unearned favor of God towards us)

[jefferylord]

so many arguments concerning scriptures can be sussed out just by using context. its dangerous to spout one line of scripture without the previous line which may have defined it. god bless you all.

[elizabethtey]

Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

There is not such thing as saving faith. Death faith is still faith just do not bring forth fruit but if that faith is in Christ sacrifice that person is still saved even if there is no works.

[earthisnotaball]

What works did the criminal on the cross do?

[WeakestYogurtEnjoyer]

This is still works salvation. We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone, our evidence is not our works but God's promise that whosoever believeth in the Son hath everlasting life. We SHOULD live righteous lives, the book of James speaks about how to be a profitable servant, it's written to saved believers about discipleship not salvation. You can't say it's by faith alone and then say "true faith will always produce works" that's just another form of self-righteousness because you're ultimately not looking to Christ for your salvation or assurance, but to your own performance. I'm not saying people should go live sinful lives, you should live a Godly life, I'm saying whether you do or not has nothing to do with your salvation because it is not by works but by grace through faith.

[LastCallToCalvary]

What "WORKS" did the thief on the cross do to grant him entry into Paradise with Yeshua at Calvary? FAITH in the gospel of grace alone SAVES. Anything else added to that means you believed in vain - and don't trust the simple child like in the blood of our Savior! Praise our Lord & Savior for that!!!!

[bop-ya-good]

Salvation is a Fact
You can`t add works to a Gift or it is not a Gift...Fact
Your part is to receive the Gift of salvation apart from any works. DoN`T stuff it up and start adding works ever!

Eph 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

NOT OF YOUR SELF!

really....did you actually think your works could add anything to Gods Salvation...

[todaysdisciples]

This is exactly the discussion I have been looking for. Well said Jeff, you are a gifted teacher in many ways. May God continue to bless you and your church!

[trewmuzik]

This is the best explanation I've heard on the topic. The way you tied in both concepts and both place in scripture is epic.

[philipbuckley]

it seems that this is the best way to encapsulate this whole subject....saved by faith, evidenced, by works...

[papasmurf]

We are saved by GRACE through FAITH (Ephesians 2:8) working in LOVE. (Galatians 5:6)

[wk]

Be not only hearers, but doers of the Word.

[ghostemane]

Romans 4:5 King James Version (KJV)

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness

[tstjohn]

We need to realize the word saved, which in Greek is delivered. Delivered from what? Delivered from the power of sin.
Regenerated, by the Spirit of God (a new supernatural life)
We are saved or delivered by the Divine effect of God by the Divine Spirit of God living in us.
This is Paul point in Romans 7 & 8
So deliverance is by God with a new life. This new life produces the characteristics of that life.

[devinworlds]

This was so great and cleared up some questions I had myself! Thank you so so much for this! All Glory To The Most High!!!

[andrereginato]

Confusion again and contradiction between James and was speaking to the 12 tribes of Israel...see James chapter 1. Israel are still under the law contract = Faith by works. James says a man is justified before God by faith plus works.


 James 2:24
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.


Paul's Gospel Faith apart from works.


Romans 4:5 
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.


It is by the faith of Christ that we are now justified before a perfect God. What he did
We are promised eternal life. The question I throw at people who believe in a works salvation is this...
Did Paul say with such great promises brothers, what manner of person should we be or What manner of person should we be to receive the promises?
2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
We walk in the spirit by faith not by sight. You can never earn your salvation. Believe in Paul's gospel and God will conform you daily in the image of his son. The good works that he has prepared for you before the world was made.

To do the good works that God has prepared for us...not by our own good works which are as a filthy rag.
2 Corinthians 13:7 
Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.


Paul believes in faith without works